Philadelphia Union

Kerith Gabriel writes that while Peter Nowak says a report in the Edinburgh Evening News that says he has applied for the manager’s job at SPL club Hearts is “absolutely false,” the author of the original report, Barry Anderson tells him, “I’m not sure of his chances. I just know he applied.”

Anderson later tweeted in response to a question about Nowak’s denial, “Yeah I saw that. Interesting. His CV is with Hearts at the moment, that is 100% definite.”

Goal.com says the Hearts rumors are the last thing Nowak and the Union need.

CSN Philly’s Rob Rabena writes that if the Eagles or the Flyers had traded away their most recognizable players as the Union have done, the result would be “the villagers at the gates demanding someone’s head on a stake. City-wide panic would ensue. People would be lining up on the Walt Whitman. Talk radio would be even more unbearable.” Rabena wonders, “Will the crowds that filled PPL Park support a team with no identity? … By the time we find out, will anyone still care?”

In case you missed it, read our report on the Union’s 3-2 win over Reading United in Saturday’s friendly. The Reading Eagle and the Union website have more on the game. Here are video highlights of the game from the always awesome barbcvphilly:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00vjRNCXaRg[/youtube]

Zac MacMath says of the recovery process with a concussion, “It’s hard because there’s not much you can do except rest and be patient. And that’s what I tried to do.”

Steve Simmons, Danny Mwanga’s coach at Oregon State, says, “I’ve coached college soccer for 27 years and probably my best coaching was not coaching Danny and letting him do his thing.” Simmons says of Mwanga’s return to Oregon via the Portland Timbers, “The adjustment here might be a healthy one on the field because he potentially is going to play with two strikers instead of playing up top by himself. You’ve got a whole cast of good people around him, so I think it’s going to be exciting for him…Part of performing at a high level athletically in any sport is to get your head right and being in a good place mentally.”

Philadelphia Fever

The Fever battled Boston Breakers hard but lost 1–0 after a first half goal from Australian international Kyah Simon. Fever goalkeeper Michelle Dalton had a monster of a game.

In other WPSL Elite League news, Chicago Red Stars remain undefeated after a 5-0 win over Chesapeake Charge. New York Fury defeated FC Indiana 1-0. Chicago defeated New York on Friday, 2-1. Also on Friday, WNY Flash topped New England Mutiny 3-1.

Local

Before their friendly against the Union on Saturday, Reading United traveled to face Ocean City Nor’easters in a game that would decide first place in the PDL’s Mid Atlantic Division. Reading came out the 2-1 winners with Olutolani Ibikunle scoring the go-ahead goal.

An eight-game unbeaten streak that included two wins over MLS clubs came to an end on Saturday when Harrisburg City Islanders fell 2-0 at home to Wilmington Hammerheads, who managed just two shots the entire game. “Sloppy,” said Harrisburg coach Bill Becher.

MLS

Vancouver defeated Houston 3-1, a scoreline that included a late insurance goal from Jordan Harvey. Houston remain in seventh place in the East with the loss.

The Chicago Tribune reports that Toyota Park has saddled Bridgeview, IL with $230 million in debt and resulted in three property tax rate hikes over the past ten years. The reports says the stadium is “a model of what can go wrong when a littletown takes massive development gambles in a state with loose borrowing and ethics laws: Politicians and insiders benefit, while taxpayers are stuck covering budget-busting losses.”

Vancouver Whitecaps striker Long Tan has been suspended indefinitely after complaining about a lack of playing time via Twitter. Tan is the first MLS player from China.

US

In case you missed it, read our report on the USMNT underwhelming win over Antigua and Barbuda.

I think his point is just that the players need to be able to focus on the pitch and improving their form, not on another off the field distraction. He doled out the blame for these issues pretty liberally onto Nowak.

Yea I’m sure it’s hard enough to trust Nowak as it is seeing as no one seems safe. Now they have to deal with the fact that he’s trying to get out of a bad situation which is his own fault to begin with. I lost my respect for him awhile ago, but it appears his respect for the organization & fanbase is gone – if there was ever any there, that is.

It would be great if Nowak was encouraged to “save face” by catching a job overseas before owner fires him…..then again, it would also be great if Nowak didn’t tell Union he was looking overseas for a job, and Union finally realize he can’t be trusted. A win either way.

Wow, can ou beleive Nowak denied it. He seemed so honest up until this point (Much sarcasm intended). Nowak is off his friggin rocker. Sometimes it happens in your 40s when the testosteronje starts dwindling. GO NOWACK. Find yourself. Leave us in Philly to get a new coach that we dont detest likewe detest you